far-fetched

far-fetched

Meaning

• unlikely to be true
• totally bizarre
• to considered false or untrue
• to be remotely or slightly connected to something

Example Sentences

1. When he told us the stories of his youth, everyone could agree that they were far-fetched.
2. Her account of the fight seems far-fetched.
3. Linda has a very active imagination and that is why all her stories seem a bit far-fetched.
4. The girl walked away in disgust after listening to his far-fetched tales of all his love conquests.
5. Most people tell far-fetched stories just to inflate their ego and to feel important.
6. I don't know why people don't just tell the truth rather than telling far-fetched stories.
7. The sailor held everyone captive with far-fetched tales of his adventures at sea.

Origin

This phrase goes back to the period of exploration of the British. When the British discovered America, their sailors would come back with foreign artefacts, crafts, goods, etc. and these were referred to as far-fetched i.e. being fetched from afar. Most times, the sailors also returned with exaggerated stories of the new lands. These stories were so exaggerated that people were always suspicious of them and so they became known as far-fetched tales, meaning they were likely untrue.